Nail or spike



(No Model.)

J.PLOYD. NAIL 0R SPIKE.

No. 519,810. Patented May 15, 1894.

l i l l l l UNITED TATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FLOYD, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-FIFTHS TO EDMUND SCHAEFER, OF LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA.

NAIL OR SP-IKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,810, dated May 15, 1894.

Application filed September 23- 1893- Serial No. 486,350- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN FLOYD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore city and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nails or Spikes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in spikes and nails, and the object of my invention is the provision of a spike or nail of simple, durable and inexpensive construction which will provide a more efiectual or securer fastening than spikes in general use and thus introduce a practical and useful article of this" character.

The invention consists of a spike embodying a novel construction and arrangement of parts substantially as disclosed herein.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved spike or nail. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof provided with the usual nail head, and Fig. 3 represents a horizontal sectional view.

Referringbyletter to the drawings-A designates vthe head of my improved spike or nail which is provided with the inward extension B for engaging the foot of a rail to secure the same and with the outward extension 0 having the reduced or sharpened 'portion Gadapted to enter the wood for holding the head from movement. This form of head is specially adapted for use in fastening rails to the ties, and in Fig. 2 the rectangular or nail head E is provided in which case the improvement is specially adapted to act as a nail.

The upper portion of the shank of my spike or nail is substantially rectangular and is provided with four grooves or channels F having tapering or inclined walls G which pr0- vide the four entering portions H, and the lower portion J of the shank is round or cylindrical and somewhat reduced in size and the spike or nail terminates in the beveled or pointed end K.

It will be seen that my spike or nail combines the features of the wrought and wire nail or spike and thus makes a spike or nail which can be easily driven or withdrawn but cannot become loosened or detached under any circumstance.

It will be seen that the nail or spike can be easily driven by reason of the round shank, and beveled end and that the upper portion of the shank will enter the material and the material will fill in the channels of the upper portion of the shank and the material willcling to the spike and thus prevent the spike from detachment.

It will also be seen that my spike or nail can be used for railroad, bridge or any other heavy work and being of simple, durable and inexpensive construction is rendered practical,

useful and economical.

I claim A spike or nail consisting of a head, having the extension for engaging the foot of a rail and the claw for entering the wood, the shank having the channels provided with inclined or tapered walls forming entering edges and the reduced portion having a pointed end.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN FLOYD.

Witnesses:

HENRY S. BREWINGTON, FRANK J. JORDAN. 

